8 best steel tubes

Steel tubes are cylindrical hollow structures made primarily from steel, a durable and strong material. They find extensive use in various industrial, commercial, and residential applications, including plumbing, construction, transportation, and manufacturing. Here is some information about steel tubes:

  1. Materials and Manufacturing: Steel tubes are typically made from carbon steel or alloy steel. The manufacturing process involves either seamless or welded methods. Seamless tubes are made from a single piece of steel without seams, while welded tubes are formed by welding together two edges of a steel strip or plate.

  2. Size and Dimensions: Steel tubes come in a wide range of sizes and dimensions, including diameter, thickness, and length. These variations allow for versatility in their applications. Common shapes include round, square, and rectangular tubes.

  3. Strength and Durability: Steel is known for its exceptional strength and durability. Steel tubes are capable of withstanding high levels of pressure, making them suitable for applications where structural integrity is crucial, such as in the construction of buildings, bridges, and pipelines.

  4. Corrosion Resistance: To enhance their resistance to corrosion, steel tubes can be coated with various protective layers. These coatings include zinc (galvanized steel), epoxy, or paint, depending on the intended use and environmental conditions.

  5. Applications:

    • Construction: Steel tubes are widely used in construction for structural purposes, such as columns, beams, and scaffolding. They are also used in the creation of handrails, fences, and other architectural elements.
    • Transportation: Steel tubes are used in the automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding industries to create components like exhaust systems, chassis frames, and hydraulic lines.
    • Plumbing and Piping: In plumbing and fluid transport, steel tubes are used for water supply, gas pipelines, and hydraulic systems. They are chosen for their strength and resistance to high pressure and temperature.
    • Industrial Machinery: Steel tubes are employed in the manufacturing of industrial machinery and equipment, including conveyor systems, hydraulic cylinders, and manufacturing lines.
    • Oil and Gas: Steel tubes are crucial in the oil and gas industry for the transport of petroleum products and natural gas.
  6. Precision Tubes: Some applications require highly precise steel tubes with tight tolerances in terms of dimensions and surface finish. These precision tubes are used in industries like automotive manufacturing and aerospace, where accuracy is critical.

  7. Heat Treatment: Depending on the application, steel tubes may undergo heat treatment processes such as annealing, quenching, or tempering to achieve specific mechanical properties.

  8. Cost-Effective: Steel tubes are often a cost-effective choice due to their durability and longevity, which can reduce maintenance and replacement costs over time.

In summary, steel tubes are versatile and durable components used across various industries for their strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion.Their wide range of sizes and shapes makes them suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, from construction to transportation and beyond. Proper selection and maintenance of steel tubes are essential to ensure they perform effectively in their intended roles.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best steel tubes on the market
  

Unpolished (Mill) 1008-1010 Steel Rectangular Tube, 1" Height X 2" Width, 0.120" Wall Thickness, 4' Length

Lane Automotive

Based on 74 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Sold only in pre-cut lengths (4, 8, 12, or 20 ft.). Always check wall thickness tolerance before cutting or welding, especially if the car is to be certified. Tubing wall thickness will vary.

User questions & answers

Question: Can this be easily welded
Answer: This is untreated mild steel. There’s no coating.
Question: is this galvanized
Answer: It does but the weld is very low
Question: Is there a weld seam on the inside of the tubing
Answer: Depends on what you use. I used a metal cutting saw and it cut easy. Using a grinder with a cut off wheel will also be easy
Question: Is this difficult to cut
Answer: They are aluminum. I have 4 of them. Very nice sheet pans.

Unpolished (Mill) 1008-1010 Steel Square Tube, 1" Square Tube, 0.083" Wall Thickness, 0.0834" Inner Diameter, 4' Length

Small Parts

Based on 141 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Sold only in pre-cut lengths (4, 8, 12, or 20 ft.). Always check wall thickness tolerance before cutting or welding, especially if the car is to be certified. Tubing wall thickness will vary.

User questions & answers

Question: Is the 17$ one 4inchs long or 4 ft long
Answer: Every metal supply shop I've ever been in will sell you steel by the foot and typically does not charge for cuts. If you have a local supply it's certainly a cheaper option than what's here or what is in a big box store. Not everyone has a steel supply warehouse down the street.
Question: Why on earth is this so expensive? People should shop their local metal shops first. Mine quoted the same steel at $1.43ft
Answer: Compare time getting it. It was as good as any I have used. I have been welding for 55 years.
Question: Is this seamless
Answer: The 0.0834 is the thickness of the" walls" of the square stock, not the inner dimension.
Question: What is the inner dimension of this square stock? The description says "0.0834" Inner Diameter" which doesn't make sense to me
Answer: Yes, seemed to weld nicely with my 120v flux core welder.

CCTVMTST 8Pcs Stainless Steel 304 Capillary Tube Tubing, Outer Diameter 0.5 to 12 mm, Length 300mm

CCTVMTST

Based on 18 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Package included:

1Pcs Outer Diameter 0.5mm - wall thickness 0.15mm - Inner Diameter 0.2mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 1mm --- wall thickness 0.3mm --- Inner Diameter 0.4mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 2mm --- wall thickness 0.3mm --- Inner Diameter 1.4mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 4mm --- wall thickness 0.5mm --- Inner Diameter 3mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 6mm --- wall thickness 1mm ------ Inner Diameter 4mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 8mm --- wall thickness 1mm ------ Inner Diameter 6mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 10mm - wall thickness 1mm ------ Inner Diameter 8mm

1Pcs Outer Diameter 12mm - wall thickness 1.2mm --- Inner Diameter 10.6mm



304 Stainless steels with good comprehensive properties,resist corrosion,resist oxidation, to resist high temperatures, easily clean.



Designed for model making, model rail and boat, architectural design, prototype engineers, metal craft etc.



May be bent to desired shape and cut to desired length.

  • Material: 304 stainless steel
  • Outer Diameter: 0.5mm / 1mm / 2mm /4mm/6mm/8mm/10mm/12mm
  • Inner Diameter: 0.2mm/0.4mm/1.4mm/3mm/4mm/6mm/8mm / 10mm
  • Length: 300mm
  • Package Includes: 8Pcs stainless steel tubes - Each Sizes Of 1Pcs

Unpolished (Mill) 1008-1010 Steel Round Tube, 1" Outer Diameter, 0.083" Wall Thickness, 0.8340" Inner Diameter, 4' Length

Lane Automotive

Based on 89 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Sold only in pre-cut lengths (4, 8, 12, or 20 ft.). Always check wall thickness tolerance before cutting or welding, especially if the car is to be certified. Tubing wall thickness will vary.

User questions & answers

Question: What is the inner diameter
Answer: No this is not
Question: Is this tubing DOM
Answer: 25.4
Question: Is this closer to a diameter of 25mm or 25.4mm
Answer: Yes it is strong enough to use as a cheater bar. Just use a caliper to measure your ratchet handle for fitment. I use a cracked aluminum baseball bat as a cheater bar myself. I just cut the end off and the ratchet fit perfectly. Best of luck!!
Question: Would this make a good cheeter pipe? Strong enough and inside diameter large enough for a 1/4 inch socket wrench
Answer: This is 4 ft long.

uxcell 304 Stainless Steel Round Tubing 2mm OD 0.15mm Wall Thickness 250mm Length Seamless Straight Pipe Tube

uxcell

Based on 25 reviews Check latest price
  • *[Material] - Made of 304 stainless steel for high strength, weld-ability and long-lasting durability.
  • *[Surface Treatment] - Finish with polishing, which is smooth, oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance.
  • *[Seamless Construction] - The interior is smooth with no seam and is available in an extruded structural or a drawn seamless stainless steel round tube for precision applications.
  • *[How to Use] - It can be processed according to the length you need, and can be welded with the right equipment.
  • *[Applications] - Commonly used in industry, ship model, handicrafts, pipelines, mechanical structural components, etc. Especially in living decoration and industry, such as frames, crafts, gardening products, railings, shop fitting and furniture.

Product features

304 Stainless Steel Round Tubing

  • Seamless stainless steel tube has great bending resistance, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, high strength, high temperature resistance, etc.
  • According to the length you need, it can be processed by using professional equipmemt. Besides, it can be threaded or welded to meet your needs.

VARIETY of SIZES:

  • Outer Diameter: 2mm-10mm
  • Wall Thickness: 0.15mm-1mm
  • Total Length: 250mm/9.84-inch

APPLICATION

Commonly used in industry, ship model, handicrafts, pipelines, mechanical structural components, etc. Especially in living decoration and industry, such as frames, DIY crafts, gardening products, railings, shop fitting and furniture.

APPLICATION

Commonly used in industry, ship model, handicrafts, pipelines, mechanical structural components, etc. Especially in living decoration and industry, such as frames, DIY crafts, gardening products, railings, shop fitting and furniture.

APPLICATION

Commonly used in industry, ship model, handicrafts, pipelines, mechanical structural components, etc. Especially in living decoration and industry, such as frames, DIY crafts, gardening products, railings, shop fitting and furniture.

K & S Precision Metals 87119 3/8x12 SS Tube

K & S Precision Metals

Based on 42 reviews Check latest price

Product description

K & S PRECISION METALS 87119 3/8x12 SS Tube

  • 3/8 inch diameter x 12 inch length
  • Made of stainless steel
  • Great for scratch builders, modelers, crafts, machine shops and an architectural applications
  • Easy to bend and cut

User questions & answers

Question: Is it food safe
Answer: It is a shiney finish, if you want it a "brushed nickle" finish just use some 220 sandpaper on it - lengthwise
Question: What is the finish? I want to use it for a lamp
Answer: I think the piece I received was 12" I dont know if longer is available. Try contacting the supplier or manufacturer.
Question: Need 22" piece
Answer: 304L Tube 0.375” OD x 0.026” wall
Question: Is this tubing, if so what is the wall thickness
Answer: 0.8430 inches diamiter.

Product features

Variety Of Sizes

K&S Metals offers a wide variety of sizes to suit your specific project!

Variety Of Uses

  • Hobby/Craft
  • Home Improvement/DIY
  • Electrical
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Static Models
  • Puppetry
  • Prototyping and more!

Hot Rolled Steel Square Tubing, ASTM A-36, 2" x 2", 0.12" Wall, 24" Length

Small Parts

Based on 226 reviews Check latest price

Product description

  • A36 carbon steel is a structural steel that has better formability than 1018 carbon steel
  • Hot rolled to attain the specified dimensions
  • Meets ASTM A36 specifications

User questions & answers

Question: Will this hot rolled steel square tubing, astm a-36, 1" x 1", 0.065" wall fit inside of this square tubing, astm a-36, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2", 1/4" wall
Answer: Our shipping is done by UPS.
Question: Is it shipped by UPS or FedEx or USPS
Answer: Yas ,i used it to extend my boat trailer which doesn't have much tongue weight,i just made sure no oils were on it ,very pleased with price and quality
Question: Is this good steel to use with a flux core welder
Answer: This tube would have approximately a 2 1/4" ID.
Question: Hello i need a 2-inch standard receiver tube. i want to make sure the inside of this square tube can accomodate 2" x 2" shank
Answer: It’s stainless like a lot of other silverware

1-1/2" OD 304/304L Stainless Steel Tubing, Welded, 16 Gauge (.065) - 2' Length

Based on 6 reviews Check latest price

Product description

2' length of 1-1/2" OD Stainless Steel Welded Tubing with a 16 Gauge (0.065") wall that is dual certified 304/304L and A249/A269. This product has been laser welded using a high-energy and high-density beam for a precise, narrow, and deep penetrating weld for excellent corrosion resistance. Our 304L stainless tubing is well suited for automotive exhaust, general service, cannery and winery service. Features a mill finished inner diameter (ID) and bright annealed outside diameter (OD).



This tubing undergoes a rigorous quality inspection, including destructive and non-destructive examination, at the mill prior to shipment. This 9 point quality inspection examines:



- Strength - Tensile, Burst

- Hardness - Rockwell, Micro

- Soundness - Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, X-Ray

- Leak & Strength - Hydrostatic

- Leak - Air Under Water, Pressure Decay

- Bend Testing - Reverse Bending, Flattening, Reverse Flattening, Flange

- Dimensional - OD, Wall, Straightness

- Metallurgical - Grain Size, Sensitization, Corrosion, Phase Balance/Intermetallic, Metallographic



Please allow for a cut tolerance of +/- 1/8" on all lengths under 20'. Call regarding any bulk orders greater than 100'.

  • Item ID: T-0150-W-A269-065-4-ML-BA-K2
  • Wall (spec): 16 Gauge (0.065")
  • Material (spec): 304/304L Stainless Steel
  • Length (spec): 2 Feet
  • Tube OD (spec): 1-1/2"; Finish (spec): Mill ID / Bright Annealed OD

Latest Reviews

View all